Florida Oil-drilling Ban In Jeopardy

State Legislators Fight Move In House To Lift Offshore Prohibition.

September 30, 2005|By William E. Gibson Washington Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON — Alarmed by new pressures to drill in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, much of the Florida congressional delegation vowed on Thursday to defeat an energy-bill provision that would lift the federal ban on natural-gas production near the state's shores.

The late-breaking amendment, approved by a House committee Wednesday evening, caught the Floridians off guard and roused a flurry of opposition on Thursday. Most Florida Republicans and Democrats said they would try to strip the provision from the energy bill, which could come to the House floor as early as next week.

"We do work together, and we are going to fight this tooth and toe-nail," Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, chairman of the Florida delegation, told reporters at a news conference attended by 11 Florida members.

The legislation renews a bitter debate pitting members from energy-producing states against Floridians who fear offshore rigs would foul their beaches, damage sensitive ecosystems and hamper tourism.

The high cost of gasoline and widespread damage from two giant hurricanes added new arguments for tapping the eastern Gulf.

The energy bill approved in committee on Wednesday would allow states to opt out of existing moratoriums while offering a share of royalties to states that allow energy production. A late amendment by Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., would sidestep what he called a long bureaucratic process by simply lifting all bans on natural-gas production in the Outer Continental Shelf.

"I'm happy to report that my colleagues are finally starting to come around on this issue," Peterson said after his amendment passed.

Though most Florida members rallied against the Peterson amendment, several signs indicate the delegation is fragmenting on energy policy.

Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, has long backed offshore drilling. "We cannot rely on OPEC, Nigeria, Venezuela, Colombia and the balance of the Middle East to ensure that future power plants in Florida and in our nation keep our lights on over the next decade," Mica said after the vote.

Some Florida Republicans are considering a compromise that would limit the ban to 100 or 125 miles off the Florida coast in exchange for assurances that it would be permanent.

"Every day that goes by brings more and more pressures," remarked Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami.

William E. Gibson can be reached at wgibson@sun-sentinel.com or 202-824-8256 in Washington.